SAR Commemorates 250th Anniversary of the Battle of Bunker Hill and remembers Dr. Joseph Warren

On Saturday June 21, 2025 the Sgt Maj John Champe Chapter VA SAR assisted by other SAR and DAR Chapters, sponsored the commemoration of a fateful battle early In the American Revolution. The battle of Bunker Hill, actually fought on Breed’s Hill, was fought on June 17, 1775, just two months after the Revolution started with the “Shot heard around the World” at Lexington and Concord.

At the Battle of Lexington & Concord a patriot intelligence network gave patriots warning the British were on the way to capture powder, weapons and leaders of the Sons of Liberty, Samuel Adams and John Hancock. Paul Revere and William Dawes gave Patriots notice the British were “on the way”. Advance notice gave Patriots time to spread the alarm, resulting in a large number of Patriots facing the British. Patriot resistance caused the British to retreat to Boston. The siege of Boston started immediately after the opening shots at Lexington & Concord.

British Commander-in-Chief General Sir Thomas Gage, under pressure to crush the Patriot rebellion, received reinforcements by June 1775. He developed a plan to attack the patriots on the hills north and south of Boston. Once again, a patriot intelligence network uncovered the plan and started preparations with about 1000 patriots from Massachusetts and Connecticut arriving on June 15 and 16. Overnight the patriots constructed an earthen redoubt to defend their position.

The British attacked the patriot position behind the redoubt, twice retreating after devastating fire by the patriots. With the patriots running short of powder and ball, the British overran the patriots on the third assault. In that assault Patriot leader Dr. Joseph Warren was killed. Although the British won a tactical victory it was at terrible cost. They had 1,054 casualties, 226 killed in action and 828 wounded. The patriots had 450 casualties; 140 killed, 271 wounded with 30 taken prisoners of war. The patriots demonstrated resolve, tenacity and the ability to fight that fateful day. The British learned the patriots were no easy push over. After the battle the British Army returned to Boston, under siege by the patriots since the battle of Lexington and Concord. The British abandoned Boston in March 1776.

Dr. Joseph Warren was a patriot leader. He joined and eventually was the leader of the Sons of Liberty, was appointed to the Boston Committee of Correspondence and twice delivered speeches on the Boston Massacre. He sent Paul Revere and William Dawes on their ride to warn patriots at Lexington and Concord. In recognition of his natural leadership skills, he was appointed President of the Revolutionary Massachusetts Provincial Congress. On June 14, 1775 he was appointed a Major General in the Massachusetts Militia but chose not to serve as an officer but as one of the soldiers. During the early stages of the Battle on Breed’s Hill he declared: “These fellows say we won’t fight! By Heaven, I hope I shall die up my knees in blood!” He got his wish when he was killed during the third assault. The British descecrated his body, decapitated him and buried him in a shallow grave. Ten months later Paul Revere and Warren’s brothers exhumed his body and gave him a proper and respectful burial. Many argue that Dr. Joseph Warren is a forgotten Patriot, not given the recognition he deserves as a founding father. The Sons and Children of the American Revolution are starting a project to give Warren the recognition he deserves.

Guest speaker for the event was Dr. Bernie Way a historian and reenactor in His Majesty’s 65th Regiment of Foot, one of the units that fought on Breed’s Hill. Dr. Way wore the uniform of a British captain. He was assisted by Harry Lloyd Harting Jr., dressed as a sergeant in the 65th Regiment of foot. Mr. Harting has applied for SAR Membership as a member of the Sgt Maj John Champe Chapter (SMJC) in Loudoun County.

For presentation of colors, SMJC Member Steve Van Deusen and Col Fielding Lewis (CFL) member Bill Tugman stood as sentries at the display of flags commanded by Col James Wood II (CJW-II) past President Dale Corey. At the conclusion of the event, wreaths were presented honoring the men lost and wounded in the Battle of Bunker Hill. Participating were: SMJC President Barry Schwoerer, VASSAR Treasurer Jon Rymer, CJW-II past President Dale Corey, Elizabeth McIntosh Hammill Chapter DAR Regent Judy Shepard, Ketoctin Chapter DAR past Regent Nancy Watford, and Mary Hemings Bell Regent Anne Ballenger.

SMJC President Barry Schwoerer was Master of Ceremonies for the event and commanded a three-shot replica black powder flintlock volley in honor of the Patriots who fought the battle of Bunker Hill. Flintlocks were fired by: Steve Van Deusen (SMJC), Dale Corey (CJW-II) and Bill Tugman (CFL).

Dale Corey of CJW-II Chapter led the assembled crowd in singing “God Bless America”.

After the main event commemorating Bunker Hill and Dr. Joseph Warren, SMJC inducted four new members: Eric Blaha, Richard Savage and his sons Archer and William. Compatriot Peter Rainey was presented the SAR Military Service Medal for 20 years honorable service in the United States Navy. SMJC members Richard Ryan and Tim Murphy were presented Flag Retirement Certificates for participating in a Flag Retirement ceremony on Flag Day, June 14.